rupture

views updated May 17 2018

rup·ture / ˈrəpchər/ • v. [intr.] (esp. of a pipe, a vessel, or a bodily part such as an organ or membrane) break or burst suddenly: if the main artery ruptures he could die. ∎  [tr.] cause to break or burst suddenly and completely: the impact ruptured both fuel tanks. ∎  [tr.] suffer such a bursting of (a bodily part): it was her first match since rupturing an Achilles tendon. ∎  (be ruptured or rupture oneself) suffer an abdominal hernia: one of the boys was ruptured and needed to be fitted with a truss. ∎  [tr.] fig. breach or disturb (a harmonious feeling or situation): once trust has been ruptured it can be difficult to regain.• n. an instance of breaking or bursting suddenly and completely: a small hairline crack could develop into a rupture | the patient died after rupture of an aneurysm. ∎ fig. a breach of a harmonious relationship: the rupture with his father would never be healed. ∎  an abdominal hernia.

rupture

views updated May 23 2018

rupture breach XV; abdominal hernia XVI; break XVII. — F. rupture or L. ruptūra, f. pp. stem of rumpere break; see REAVE, -URE.

rupture

views updated May 14 2018

rupture (rup-cher)
1. n. see hernia.

2. n. the bursting apart or open of an organ or tissue; for example, the splitting of the membranes enclosing an infant during childbirth.

3. vb. (of tissues, etc.) to burst apart or open.

rupture

views updated May 29 2018

rupture See hernia